Jeans for Genes day is on today

Jeans for Genes day is on today

For her son: Tracey Menser is ‘‘right behind Jeans for Genes’’. ‘‘I don't want any other parents to have to go through the heartbreak my husband Scott and I had go through with Jack. Picture: Gene Ramirez

The builders in the HomeWorld display village in Kellyville are pooling together to raise money for the Children's Medical Research Institute.

Chief executive Phil Jones said he was inspired to support the cause because Alkira Homes sales manager Tracey Menser lost her son Jack 10 years ago from a rare genetic disease called ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy).

"Most of the builders have children themselves and none of us know when we might be in a position of benefiting from the research,’’ he said.

Mrs Menser believes Jack, who died when he was eight years old, would be alive today with the advances in the institute’s research.

"One of the hardest things was knowing nothing could be done to save Jack at the time,’’ she said.

‘‘We had to watch our fun loving and beautiful boy lose all his functions.

"I am right behind Jeans for Genes because I don't want any other parents to have to go through the heartbreak my husband Scott and I had go through with Jack.

‘‘The work that CRMI are doing is so important for the health of all children not just here in Australia but around the world," she said

Mrs Menser said a gold coin will buy enough crucial enzyme needed to test the blood of one patient for aggressive types of cancers.

A$5 badge will buy a plastic test tube to screen 96 potential epilepsy drugs at once and $10 could help to crack the cause of blindness by giving scientists 200 mini test tubes.

"These are just a few examples of how the money raised will go towards research.’’

You can contribute by donating at HomeWorld in Kellyville today or by visiting Jeans for Genes.